Officials visit as part of tour on tornado preparedness.

By Sherrie Peif
Greeley Tribune

They've spoken at the governor's conference.

They've spoken to the Colorado Municipal League.

They've spoken to the League of Cities.

But the presentation Windsor-Severance Fire Protection District Chief Brian Martens, Windsor Police Chief John Michaels and Terry Walker, Windsor's director of public works, made Wednesday afternoon was their biggest yet, and this time, they didn't have to leave Windsor to do it.

Instead, the three men, who continue to garner praise from all over the United States for their role in controlling the aftermath of the May 22, 2008, tornado, had Bulgaria come to them.

Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Emergency Management Emel Etem and a 13-member delegation of high-ranking Bulgarian officials traveled to Windsor on Wednesday to gather facts on emergency preparedness and natural disaster management.

Etem said her country has suffered through several natural disasters in the past couple of years, including tornados, which are new to Bulgaria, and officials believed they needed to form a cooperative effort with the United States to better develop plans for dealing with the storms.

"The lessons we've learned is natural disasters are a very serious challenge," Etem said after the presentation through translator Mariana Stefanova Hill. "Where they strike - they have no borders or boundaries. It's no weak or strong countries; it's no rich or poor countries. Natural disasters don't care where they strike. The paramount importance for us is to exchange information and experience to be well-prepared to meet the disasters face to face when they happen."

The consulate came to Windsor at the recommendation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has held Windsor up nationally as the poster child for how to manage disasters the right way since an EF3 tornado destroyed much of the southeastern part of the community and hit Greeley and other parts of Weld last year.

The entourage had planned stops in New York and Washington to meet with government leaders there, but FEMA recommended they add Windsor to their itinerary to see a success story, Windsor Mayor John Vázquez said.

Martens, Michaels and Walker gave a presentation on how the town handled the disaster and the consulate viewed a video before leaving for the airport to head back to New York for more meetings today.

After questioning what types of advance notice mechanisms the town has in place to warn residents of an impending storm, what the trio of men would have done differently, what challenges they faced, and if any building codes to improve structural strength have been made, everyone offered strong words of praise for the Windsor government and residents.

Etem said the entire Windsor community has a big heart.

"I want to congratulate you on your professionalism, courage and stamina," Etem said. "I admire the way the three leaders worked together. I wish you every success."